Oh Lord, what a dizzying sequence of events we have witnessed last week in Turkey. First, Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu’s diploma was revoked. Then, he was taken into custody. The prosecutor did not rush; he took his time, using the full four-day period. He was sent to court in the evening. The prosecutor investigating two separate cases interrogated him for hours. Then, he was sent to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for his arrest. Evening turned into night, night into morning, and still, the process was not completed.
Isn’t this torture in itself? The conditions of detention are well known… Hours spent in a tiny room with little oxygen, insufficient light, sleepless, hungry, and unmedicated… Then another night… The court decision was only made around noon. And we are in the month of Ramadan… What body can endure this? Not to mention the psychological aspect—physically, it is almost impossible to stay on one’s feet for so long. This is pure torture.
Ekrem İmamoğlu experienced this AKP-style torture in 2025. And in the end, as expected, he was arrested. The “arrest” news was first reported by “AKP media.” Even the judiciary objected, saying, “We haven’t made a decision yet; don’t believe the news.” As if the decision was actually made by the judge… The decision was made in Ankara! The judiciary simply executed it. Period!
There is no point in further discussion or debate. It would be a waste of words and writing.
Kandıra Prison was emptied, and space was made in Silivri. Clearly, İmamoğlu and his associates were going to be arrested, some sent to Silivri and others to Kandıra. TOMA riot vehicles and police cars were dispatched the night before. The footage was shared on social media. Everything was prepared in advance. The official decision merely followed the predetermined plan. He was arrested for “corruption” but released under judicial control for “terrorism.”
The Trustee Will Eventually Be Appointed!
CHP leader Özgür Özel was quite pleased, saying, “The possibility of appointing a trustee has been eliminated!” Yes, it appears so… The ruling is quite peculiar and raises several questions. Ahmet Nesin expressed his surprise with the message, “For the first time in my life, I hear someone being both arrested and not arrested at the same time!” He’s not wrong. The judge acknowledged the “strong suspicion of terrorism” but then ruled that since İmamoğlu was “already arrested,” there was no need for further arrest on that charge.
This ruling will go down in “world legal history.” It highlights the “legal knowledge” of prosecutors and judges. The one whose diploma should be scrutinized is not İmamoğlu but those in the judiciary writing such absurd rulings. Reading this bizarre, grotesque decision, I thought Özel was celebrating too soon. Could this be a legal trap? Would it be so difficult to arrest İmamoğlu on “terrorism” charges later? Did the judge deliberately leave a mark by stating there was a “strong suspicion”? Could this be a tactical maneuver to pacify CHP and disperse street protests?
What guarantee is there that the prosecutor won’t appeal tomorrow and have İmamoğlu arrested for “terrorism” as well? Mark my words—İmamoğlu will soon be arrested on terrorism charges, and a trustee will be appointed in the end. This is not an insider scoop—just a prediction and foresight… The trustee threat has not been avoided. I don’t understand how Özel could overlook this possibility.
Looking at the case and analyzing the questions and answers might seem pointless, but how can I ignore this: Istanbul Municipality’s Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat was questioned about a money transaction of 50 and 100 liras (donations). He was asked, “What is the connection between you?” (Yes, you read that right—50 TL and 100 TL!) Did Polat’s response embarrass those who prepared the question? He answered, “I sent it as alms and aid upon seeing the requests on social media!”
Is İmamoğlu Really That Fearsome?
What suspicion could the prosecutor have about a 50 and 100-lira “money transfer”? Did they really expect to find a link to “terrorism or corruption” from that? Ridiculous…
Yes, the torturous process started in the evening, lasted through the night, and by noon the next day, the decision was finally made—İmamoğlu was arrested. Revoking his diploma wasn’t enough; he was thrown behind bars, locked away behind iron bars. Why such fear of İmamoğlu? Is he really that terrifying? Erdoğan is terrified of İmamoğlu… Because İmamoğlu has defeated him in every election he has contested. Including the Beylikdüzü elections, he has beaten Erdoğan four times in Istanbul. Istanbul is not just another city for Erdoğan. It was difficult for him to accept. He thought he was taking his “revenge!”
Uncertain about his own candidacy, Erdoğan did not want to compete against İmamoğlu in the presidential election. He feared losing again. This entire operation was because of that. And it was entirely political. It has nothing to do with the law. You don’t even need to read the case file to see this. Just looking at the cover or living in that country is enough. Political battles there have no legal framework or rules. There are no fair duels—only ambushes and traps, as we see in Exhibit A.
İmamoğlu: Fear Won’t Change Fate!
Erdoğan made his “first election move.” Did he manage to politically eliminate İmamoğlu? Absolutely not… The images from social media show that the “primary election” ballot boxes where İmamoğlu is a candidate are packed with people. The extraordinary interest from both the party base and citizens cannot be ignored. Even while in custody, the voices rising from all over the country—the protests, the marches—are signs that İmamoğlu is emerging as a new leader.
His revoked diploma is a barrier to his candidacy… But not forever. As AKP-affiliated writers claim, he might spend “4-5 years in prison.” But he won’t be forgotten. Every single day he spends in prison will only make his name grow larger. I am absolutely sure that his return will be spectacular.
No, İmamoğlu did not lose. His post-arrest statements reflect this:
“Fear won’t change fate! You will lose—no matter what you do, you will lose! You will be defeated by our righteousness, our courage, our humility, our smiling faces… I stand tall, I will never bow!”
Who was this message directed at? None other than Erdoğan. I don’t think he said these words for nothing. I know that feeling—it’s the spiritual fulfillment of being right and innocent.
On the surface, Erdoğan may feel relieved, thinking he has gotten rid of İmamoğlu and will have an easier election. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have resorted to such “ridiculous judicial operations.” But he must not forget—the price for this will be heavy. And he will pay it.
Starting with the political consequences… This will not go unpunished. No matter how much he tries to “clean up the field,” it will be impossible for him to win the upcoming elections. Hasn’t he seen that social opposition is far beyond CHP? This is just the beginning… The winds continue to gather. This storm is unstoppable. And this storm will sweep Erdoğan away…
Where to? Into the dustbin of history.
Look at what even Abdurrahman Dilipak wrote:
“Those who preach suppressing and controlling consciences actually hide their personal desires under this faith and demand it for their own benefit. These are the footsteps of disasters that announce their arrival. Elephants should not rely too much on their strength… Ants and birds can defeat elephants.”
How can AKP members not see what even Dilipak has seen?
